Expert: Sal - 3/3/2005

Question
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Followup To
Question -
I am a deaconate student and this question was asked in one of our small discussion group.
From the Torah and Prophetical writings, how can the Christian community assimilate the Hebrew Scriptures into its own life? Can these writings be incorporated into the New Testament? If so what scripture passage will I find how it is understood and applied to its belief system?

Answer -
Dear Rich:
Do you want me to answer that first question by using the Torah and Prophetical writings to show how they can be used? Yes
The second question: What do you mean by "incorporated into the New Testament"? Do you mean how can Christians use the Hebrew Scriptures? Yes

The third question: What do you mean by "what scripture passage"? Do you want a Bible verse which legitimatizes the use of Hebrew scriptures by Christians? Or do you want a scripture which shows how Christians are to understand the Hebrew scriptures?
I want a verse from the Hebrew scriptures that is also mentioned in the New Testament that shows how Christians  put it to use in that time as well.


Rich


Answer
Dear Rich:

Christians may use the Hebrew Scriptures because of what the New Testament says. We do not need any passages from the Old Testament to allow for the use. The New Testament always interprets the Old and never the reverse.

Christians can use the Old Testament because it is the history of God's dealings with mankind. God's dealings culminate in the New Testament Scriptures with the establishment of the Catholic Church by God. St. Paul tells us why we can, and must, use the Old Testament. “Everything written before our time was written for our instruction, that we might derive hope from the lessons of patience and the words of encouragement in the Scriptures” (Romans 15:4). Jesus proclaimed that everything written in the Torah was in some way related to him. “If you believed Moses you would then believe me, for it was about me that he wrote” (John 5:46).

Jesus took the Old Testament and gave it its full meaning. For example, he took the passage “Thou shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14; Deuteronomy 5:18) and gave us its full meaning. It was not meant to forbid only adultery, but all sexual immorality (Matthew 5:27-30). The full and complete meaning of Old Testament passages cannot be found apart from the New Testament revelation. “In times past, God spoke in fragmentary and varied ways to our fathers through the prophets; in this, the final age, he has spoken to us through his Son” (Hebrews 1:1-2).

I hope that this helps. If I can be of further assistance please do not hesitate to ask.

Have a great day,
Sal